Let’s make recruitment into the security services a dignified one – Wa West MP
Considering the thousands of youth that turned out at the security services recruitment centres nationwide in a bid to join the various security services, Member of Parliament for Wa West Lanchene Toobu has said it shows how youth unemployment is a real security threat in the country.
His worry comes in the wake of the numbers seen at the various centres across the country where the various security services were conducting body screening as part of processes to recruit new personnel into the services.
Thousands of youth were seen gathered at the various centres anxiously waiting and partaking in the exercise. Most were captured exposed to the mercy of the hot weather due to the large crowd which outpaced the limited places available that could provide shade.
Concerns have been raised for the services to consider using some new ways of screening and enlisting into the to avoid leaving most of the applicants at the mercy of the sun as they wait for their turn in queues.
Peter Lanchene Toobu who retired from the Police to enter into politics in expressing his view during an interview on Accra-based TV3 said “What is happening right now in the security sector is just a simple sign that what is written in the national security strategy that youth unemployment remains the greatest threat to our national security, a true statement.
“Couldn’t we have done this better? As a member of the Defence and Interior committee with oversight responsibility on the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of National Security, I am sure that all of us are beginning to look at this differently.”
The member of the Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament also added that “When I joined the Police in 1992, what I have seen apart from the initial online application, there is no change. What it means is that for almost 30 years we have actually not changed the system so much.
“Technology is transforming the whole world and gradually, we should begin to simplify some of these processes to ensure that these young people who are already frustrated can actually get recruited in a very dignified and in a very humane manner.
“Looking at what is happening, sometimes we say that you need to have a feel of what it is like to get into the job but gradually, the psychological impact on these young people before they get recruited can be lasting for their lifetime, lasting for their career. So, I think that we should begin to look at it differently using technology. We can shorten the process, we can simplify the process.”
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
